The most common question we get from people planning a move to Australia is also the simplest one. How much does it cost?

Somewhere between €2,500 and €14,000+, depending on how much you are shipping, where in Australia you are landing, and how you get it there. A single person moving a one-bedroom flat worth of belongings sits at the lower end. A family moving a 4-bed house sits at the top.

Most moves land somewhere in the middle. This guide breaks down exactly what drives that number, what's included in a proper quote, what people forget to budget for, and what to do if you want an accurate figure rather than a rough guess.

‍

The two ways to ship your belongings

‍

Almost every household move from Ireland to Australia goes by sea. It takes 8 to 10 weeks door-to-door, but it's the only practical way to move furniture, appliances, and years of accumulated possessions across 17,000 kilometres.

Air freight exists, and it's significantly faster. It also costs 5 to 8 times more per cubic metre than sea freight. For most people, it's only worth considering for a small number of urgent items like documents, a week's worth of clothes, things you can't wait 10 weeks for. Not for a full household move.

Everything below is focused on sea freight, because that's what actually moves homes.

‍

Sea freight costs from Ireland to Australia in 2026

‍

Sea freight is priced by volume, measured in cubic metres (CBM). You book either a share of a container alongside other shipments (LCL: Less than Container Load) or an entire 20-foot container to yourself (FCL:  Full Container Load). Which option applies depends on your volume.

Here's what door-to-door sea freight from Ireland to Australia costs at different move sizes:

‍

Volume: 5-10 CBM
What typically fits: 1-bed flat, basics only
Approximate cost: €2,500–€4,000

‍

Volume: 15-20 CBM
What typically fits: 1-bed flat, basics only
Approximate cost: €4,500–€7,000

‍

Volume: 25-35 CBM
What typically fits: 1-bed flat, basics only
Approximate cost: €7,500–€12,000

‍

Volume: 33 CBM
What typically fits: 1-bed flat, basics only
Approximate cost: €9,000–€14,000

‍

These figures cover a complete door-to-door service: professional export packing at your Irish address, sea freight, Australian customs clearance, biosecurity fees, and final delivery. The volume, destination port, and insurance choices are what move the number within those ranges.

The ranges are wide because no two moves are identical. A 20 CBM move containing antiques, multiple large appliances, or items needing specialist crating will cost more than 20 CBM of standard furniture. Volume is the biggest driver, but what's inside matters too.

‍

What a door-to-door quote actually includes

‍

When AMC quotes a move to Australia, the price covers:

• Professional packing at your Irish address using export-grade materials
• Export documentation
• Groupage or full-container sea freight (depending on your volume)
• Destination charges at the Australian port
• Australian customs clearance
• DAFF (Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry) biosecurity inspection and any required treatment
• Delivery to your new address in any of the Australian destinations
• Basic liability cover (full marine insurance is available at an additional cost)

One thing worth knowing upfront: Australia has strict biosecurity rules. Items made from untreated wood, natural fibre products, certain leather goods, and most outdoor or garden items get flagged at the border. If your shipment is pulled for inspection, there are fees attached. If items fail the inspection, they get treated or destroyed.

This isn't bureaucratic small print. It's something to think about when you're deciding what to bring and how it's packed.

‍

Air freight costs

‍

If you need items to arrive before your container, air freight runs from approximately €8 to €15 per kilogram for consolidated air cargo. A 100 kg personal effects shipment (a couple of boxes, some clothes, documents) costs roughly €800 to €1,500 door-to-door. A full 500 kg pallet runs €4,000 to €6,500.

Most people who use air freight keep it to 20 to 40 kg: the essentials they need for the first week or two before the sea freight arrives.

‍

What people forget to budget for

‍

The volume-based freight cost is the main figure, but it's rarely the final one. A few things consistently catch people out:

Insurance. Basic liability cover comes with the quote, but it doesn't cover the full replacement value of your belongings. Full marine insurance typically runs 1.5% to 3% of the declared value of the consignment. On a €20,000 shipment, that's €300 to €600. Shipping is generally safe, but containers travel a long way through a lot of weather.

Storage. If there's a gap between your departure from Ireland and when your new Australian address is ready, you'll need storage at one or both ends. Costs vary by volume and duration. Settlement dates in Australia can shift, especially in competitive markets, and if they do, storage gets used.

Vehicle shipping. Moving a car is a separate quotation, not included in household goods pricing. Expect approximately €1,500 to €3,000 for standard vehicles, depending on port and vehicle type. Australian import compliance requirements apply, and some modifications may be needed depending on the vehicle.

Packing materials if you're self-packing. A full packing service includes materials. If you choose to pack your own boxes (which some people do to manage costs) the materials aren't free. Budget €150 to €400 depending on volume and how much specialist wrapping you need.

‍

When you book affects the price

‍

January through March is the peak period for moves from Ireland to Australia. People who left over Christmas and New Year are organising their shipments, demand for container space is higher, and lead times stretch out.

‍

If your move falls in this window, book as early as possible, both for price stability and to lock in a pickup date that works. Moves from April through September generally have more scheduling flexibility.

‍

How to get an accurate figure

‍

The ranges above give you a working budget to plan around. Your actual cost depends on your specific volume, and volume is genuinely impossible to estimate accurately without a proper survey.

A pre-move survey takes 30 to 60 minutes. One of our team walks through your home, notes everything you're planning to take, and produces a fixed quote based on real cubic footage. There are no per-item charges added after the fact, and the survey is completely free. It can be done in person or by video if you're not ready to book a visit.

If you're planning a move to Australia in 2026, the survey is where to start. It costs nothing, and it turns a broad range into a number you can actually plan a move around.

Get a free pre-move survey done here.

‍

Frequently asked questions

‍

Q. How long does it take to ship from Ireland to Australia?

Door-to-door sea freight takes 8 to 10 weeks from most Irish departure points to Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane. Fremantle (Perth) adds approximately one week. Air freight takes 5 to 10 working days.

‍

Q.Can I track my shipment?

‍Yes. AMC provides container tracking and regular updates throughout the journey so you know where your belongings are.

‍

Do I need to be present for the delivery in Australia?

‍You or an authorised representative needs to be available for delivery. Your Australian customs broker (organised by AMC) will also need your signature on import documentation before the shipment is released from port.

‍

What happens if my shipment is held for biosecurity inspection?

‍Most shipments clear without issue. If items are flagged for inspection by DAFF, there are inspection fees and, if treatment is required, treatment costs. We advise all customers on biosecurity risk items during the survey stage so you can make informed decisions about what to include.

‍

‍

Can AMC store my belongings in Ireland before I'm ready to ship?

‍Yes. If you need Irish-end storage, for example, if you're leaving before your visa comes through or your Australian address isn't confirmed, we can hold your consignment securely until you're ready to ship.

‍

‍

AMC Removals is an Irish-owned international removal company with over 25 years of experience moving households from Ireland to Australia and beyond. We are FIDI-accredited and FAIM-certified, which are the highest quality standards in the international moving industry.

‍